Malaysia Vacation – Kuala Lumpur & Genting Highlands Day 3

8th Dec 2009 Day 3 Tuesday

Maxims Hotel Genting


The third day of our Malaysia vacation, we spent the day in one of the finest Malaysia resorts, Genting Highlands. Genting is also known as a casino resort, having a few casinos in this integrated resort destination that is set 2000 metres above sea level. Today we were blessed with some beautiful sunset images as well.

Theme Park Hotel

First World Hotel

Energizer

Part of the walkway system linking the whole integrated resort, which allows you to never have to venture outside

Our only full day in Genting Highlands, it was a free and easy period for all of us. We were free to do whatever we wished to. Those who preferred to test their luck in the casino could do so. Those who preferred to experience the recreational facilities at the indoor and outdoor theme parks were welcome. For us, we took the opportunity to visit the Chin Swee Cave Temple which we passed by on the way up to Highlands Hotel yesterday. Here we were entranced with the various Chinese mythology and Chinese traditions that were being practiced and believed. We even saw the Fu Lu Shou, deities which symbolise happiness, wealth and longevity.

Firstly, we accompanied the kids to the Outdoor Theme park. Today, they decided to purchase the ticket to both the Outdoor and Indoor Theme Park @ RM59 (USD17.15) since they have the whole day to make full use of the ticket. All rides are included in that price except for the Flying Coaster. This is good value for money if you have the full day ahead to ride as many rides as you want.

Welcome to the Outdoor Theme Park

Fun at the Park

Outdoor theme park in Genting Highlands Integrated Resort

Fun galore

More rides

In the park

Next we went to the driveway of Highlands Hotel. Here, complimentary shuttle buses are provided to our next destination, Chin Swee Temple at scheduled times of the day. We boarded the 1100 hrs shuttle which took a mere 10 minutes to reach Chin Swee Temple.

Free shuttle bus service from Highlands Hotel to Chin Swee Cave Temple

The beautifully constructed Chin Swee Caves Temple is a sanctuary of beauty and serenity. It houses the statue of Reverend Master Chin Swee, revered as a deity for his supernatural powers to summon rain and drive away evil spirits. You may seek out blessings of tranquility while enjoying the panoramic views of the beautiful mountainside.

King of Hell and his entourage

Buddha statue

One of the 18 lohan or 18 immortals

King of Hell

Chin Swee Cave Temple - pagoda

One of the many beautiful artworks depicting Chinese mythology

Fu Lu Shou - Gods of Blessings, Prosperity and Longevity

For more pictures on Chin Swee Caves Temple, visit Chin Swee Cave Temple, Genting Highlands.

Before leaving home for this Malaysia vacation, we had checked on Genting’s weather online. The website had showed Genting Highland’s temperature to be between 23 – 31 degrees Celcius. However, we were surprised to find that the temperature since we arrived reached 20 degrees C. Fortunately we had brought our jackets along with us.

TIP FOR TRAVEL
The temperature in Genting Highlands may vary depending on the time of the year. The last time I visited Genting Highlands a few years ago, I remember that it was not even cool. However this morning, the weather hit 19.5 degrees C. So be prepared with some warm clothes.

However whilst at Chin Swee Cave Temple when we were outdoors with no breeze, it was hot under the direct sun.

To get back to Highlands Hotel, we decided to take the Awana Skyway cable car @ RM3 (USD0.85). A nice and short ride from Chin Swee Cave Temple to Highlands Hotel, but be prepared that you may have to stand as there are just a few seats in the cable car. This is a great way to enjoy the panoramic tropical rainforest.

Awana Skyway


Genting Skyway For a relaxing, scenic ride up to Genting where you will be greeted with breathtaking views of the surrounding hills at a comfortable speed.

Clouds images in Genting Highlands

Hills shrouded in clouds


For lunch, we settled for Flavors at First World Plaza where the indoor theme park is located. We went for their value meals and tried some local food of Malaysia.

Rice in jar value meal– chicken with salted fish rice + soup + drink

Sizzler value meal – spicy chicken + drink + rice

Both set menu were equally good and the soup was especially tasty. We enjoyed our dinner here.

Flavors

This was followed by a coffee break at Starbucks coffee. Only when the staff asked us if we had a Jusco card did we realize we could get a 10% discount all the while without knowing it. It made the RM12 (USD3.50) application fee for the Jusco card worthwhile.

Jusco card

As recommended by one of our group members, we went to the Genting WorldCard counter in the casino to apply for the Genting WorldCard. The reason for doing this was to earn at least 1 Genting Point to upgrade our card to the ‘Green Card' so that we could redeem a 2010 calendar as well as some red packets (hong bao). When we converted to the ‘Green Card', also received a voucher where we could redeem one free superior room night in First World Hotel but which can only be used during low season and which would expire in 45 days’ time.

The Genting WorldCard

When you upgrade to the 'Green Card'


TIP FOR TRAVEL
Genting WorldCard is a loyalty program issued by the Genting group. The WorldCard is free and some of the benefits of membership include special membership rates, instant privileges, one-stop world reservations centre and 24 hour dedicated membership hotline for Genting Highlands Resort. You get to earn points and redeem them as well.

We then spent some time at the jackpot machines in Hollywood casino and ‘donated’ some money there. After donating a few hundred dollars to the casino, we decided to take a break and get some dinner.

Before we headed off to dinner, we managed to capture some beautiful sunset images.

Sunset images

More sunset images

We managed to meet some of our group members and agreed to go to Hot Pot for a buffet All U Can Eat & Drink steamboat cum bbq dinner @ RM19.90++ (USD5.80). Although the buffet spread was not that wide a variety, the quality was good as the meats were well marinated. All of us enjoyed the meal and were totally satisfied with it.

Hot Pot buffet steamboat cum bbq dinner

Long queue at Hot Pot

Collect your food

Then start cooking

& eating... Yummy yummy

After dinner, we did a little shopping at the indoor theme park before heading to Starbucks again. This time we finally hit the 11 drink stamps needed in order to redeem for a free 2010 year planner as part of their Christmas promotion. At the same time, we used our World Points that we had collected over the past few days to redeem for the drink.

Originally we had wanted to watch Dazzle – A Mystifying Journey at 2100 hrs which would have provided 60 minutes of sheer fun, pleasure and fantastic entertainment. However we were disappointed as we were told that today was their ‘day off’. What luck!



Since we were not fortunate enough to watch the show, we decided to go back to the casino and this time we managed to get a ‘good’ machine after a few tries and were fortunate enough to earn back all that we had donated earlier with some spare cash leftover. It was pretty fun seeing the machine adding more and more credits during each win.

Monte Carlo casino

It was a great day today and we especially enjoyed being in one of the wonderful Malaysia resorts, Genting Highlands, and especially had a great time in the casino resort this evening. The visit to Chin Swee Cave Temple was an interesting visit where we could see Chinese traditions and Chinese mythology picturesquely depicted. We were also very happy and satisfied with the food of Malaysia that we had filled our stomachs with today.



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